TVSP 17🍂

Chapter 17

“Please, please, just give me a little more time. If you grant me only two more days, I can prepare at least half the amount…”

“Half?” The burly man sneered, swinging his arm. “You can’t even bring the full payment with interest right now, and you’re talking about half? Are you joking with me?”

A sharp sound cracked through the quiet street as his blow landed.

The frail man wiped his tears and staggered back into the building, leaving behind only silence, as if the disturbance had never happened.

Wendy gaped, lips moving soundlessly.

“They’re people short on money,” I explained.

“No, but this place is—”

“They borrow for all kinds of reasons—because they’re poorer, more desperate, or simply in need.”

The slums were dark and hopeless, but some had fallen even deeper into the mire. And there were those who made sure they could never crawl back out.

That was why I had come here.

“I want to clear them out—so that even these people can live an ordinary life.”

It was the truth. Though of course, the real reason was that removing the loan sharks was necessary if I wanted to secure my place in the temple.

Wendy blinked in confusion. “But… what do loan sharks have to do with the temple?”

I thought of the man who had frowned during my earlier speech and smiled.

‘Let’s see how our Cardinal squirms.’

This district fell under the jurisdiction of Cardinal Jenom—the very man who led the loan sharks.

No one knew this now. The truth would only surface years later, after the mysterious death of a priest serving the slums. His diary had revealed the connection, and when Leandros investigated, he crushed the loan sharks in retaliation.

That incident had earned Leandros much glory, though not without grave injuries sustained from their desperate resistance.

‘Better to eliminate the risk before it even arises.’

That was why I planned to dismantle the slums myself—and the deadline was fast approaching.

“…Is that so? But why are you telling me this?” Wendy asked hesitantly.

“You said you wanted to know, didn’t you? What I was planning.”

“Did I?”

“You begged me—‘If you have any thoughts, please share them with me.’”

When I reminded her, recognition dawned, and she nodded reluctantly.

“R-right… I did say that.”

“So I’m telling you.”

I smiled brightly, my eyes curving with amusement. She clasped her hands together, visibly uneasy.

“Now that I think about it… knowing doesn’t really change anything, does it?”

Pathetic little act. But knowing her true identity, her efforts were wasted on me.

“I’d like you to investigate the people indebted to the loan sharks.”

Still smiling, I gave the order.

Her eyes widened. “Impossible! I’m just a maid—I can only serve you, my lady. I can’t possibly—”

“And yet, the young lady you serve is commanding it. Should I go investigate personally, or is it more fitting that you do it?”

Faced with the choice, Wendy faltered.

“Well, if you truly can’t…”

I turned as if to leave, but she grabbed my hand. For once, she didn’t flinch or panic. Her expression was serious.

“Why? Why do you want to save them too?”

“What?”

“You’ve already spent so much money. You don’t need to do this. You don’t even have a reason.”

“Me? Save them?” I laughed, genuinely amused.

“Ha… hahaha.”

Their fates meant nothing to me. Whether they were crushed by debt or not, it wasn’t my concern. I only wanted the loan sharks gone—and Wendy distracted.

But her words left a bitter aftertaste.

Helping others by clawing desperately for my own survival… is that what this is?

Wendy’s gaze lingered, curious, suspicious.

I sighed. “Perhaps I’ve died and come back only to… grow a conscience.”

My sarcastic tone made her narrow her eyes.

“You look insubordinate. If you dislike the task, you can refuse.”

I called her out openly. Wendy blinked, then quickly rearranged her face into one of wide-eyed devotion.

“Dislike it? Never. I am your loyal maid, my lady. Whatever the task, I’ll obey!”

In another life, had I not died by her hand, I might have believed her.

She had always hovered near, nervously attentive, never shirking the work I gave her. Even when others abandoned me, Wendy endured. That was why I had kept her close.

Of course, now I knew better—she remained for a reason. She had a master, an agenda. Until I uncovered who that was, I intended to use her as thoroughly as possible.

“Investigate the debtors, the sharks’ main hideouts, and the total sum owed. Everything connected to them.”

She had just promised to do “anything.” Now she would be forced to prove it.

I do not keep those who fail to honor their word. Wendy knows that.

“Since the volunteer work ends in a week, you should be able to finish by then, right?”

Her face paled. “A… a week?”

“Why? Can’t you?”

I cut her off before she could protest. With no other choice, she nodded.

“Good. Then let’s go home.”

Her sulky expression cheered me somewhat.

As our carriage rolled back, twilight deepened. Outside, the sky darkened, but the full moon already gleamed above, proudly casting its silver light.

‘The full moon of late summer… I’ve been waiting for tonight.’

The carriage pulled up to the mansion.

I stepped into the lobby—and a warm, familiar voice greeted me.

“Grace, just returning from your outing?”

I looked up. A dazzling man stood there, smiling brightly at me.

I had two older brothers. One was the Empire’s most sought-after groom. The other, its most infamous scoundrel.

The scoundrel had been cast out long ago. But the “perfect groom” was now striding toward me with open arms.

Unlike me, who resembled Father, he had inherited Mother’s honey-golden hair and luminous golden eyes. With his broad frame and almost holy beauty, he seemed sculpted by the gods themselves.

“You’re home early from the palace, Brother.”

“Oh, my sweet Liss,” he said warmly. “It’s been too long. Something happened today? You don’t look well.”

Quick-witted, too.

“You’ve been drained from all this volunteer work, haven’t you? Giving of your heart is far more exhausting than you’d think. You must be stressed. Should we go shopping? That always cheers you up.”

“…I have been a little tired lately.”

This was Saint Apferdita—beloved, admired, called the Empire’s first love by countless debutantes. Always kind, always attentive. He was Father’s shadow, endlessly busy at the palace, and yet… tonight was different.

“Shopping is the best rest, it’s true,” I said, feigning a pout. “But at this hour, all the salons must be closed.”

But Saint had his own secret.

For the sake of a certain hobby, he always kept the evening of the summer full moon free.

Seeing me pout, he looked at me fondly, as though I were still a little girl.

“Oh dear, you really are still young, Liss. There are places that open at this time of night.”

“If you mean the auction house, I already know. But those things never interest me. It’s boring.”

I pretended to grumble. I knew his nature well—if I sulked, he would surely try to delight me.

And sure enough, he answered as I expected.

“Is that so? Then… shall I take you somewhere truly exciting?”